This course builds the knowledge and skills of practitioners applying systems thinking to sustainable development challenges. It leverages Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 360 Thinking, an approach developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Human Ecology, the Data Science Institute, and the UniverCity Alliance.
SDG 360 Thinking is a systems science approach to policy and implementation that allows governments and organizations of all kinds to align their work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to balance competing priorities, to optimize system performance, and to address equity matters with transparency. To see how others have used SDG 360 Thinking, consider looking at these examples from other SDG 360 Leaders or watch their recorded videos on our YouTube channel.
Welcome to the SDG 360 Thinking Course
Who is this course for?
This course is intended for a wide range of participants, including leaders in professional associations, philanthropic organizations, and social change networks, local government officials and staff, members of formal and informal local community organizations and non-governmental organizations, private sector professionals working towards sustainable development, faculty, staff, and students engaged in applied learning and outreach programs in higher education.
Where can I get support?
You’re welcome to reach out to the SDG Instructor Team by emailing all of us at once as this usually helps us respond more quickly.
There is also a trained cohort of SDG 360 Facilitators that can support you in a variety of ways, depending on what you or your organization may need. This may range from light touch no cost peer learning support to hiring a facilitator as a trainer for your own organization's, community, or project's needs.
Modules
The SDG 360 Thinking for Leaders course is organized into four modules and are available below. Each module includes an instructional video with accompanying slides and exercises to undertake in the Participant Workbook. The modules build on one another, beginning with core concepts and moving toward applied practice and reflection. If you would like to organize your own course in-person or online, you can also download a course instructor toolkit. The module recordings are available in an accessible format on YouTube with captioning. If you would like to work with us to make them more accessible to your organization or your audience, please reach out to us, using the contact information listed above. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you.
Module 1: Introduction to the SDG 360 Thinking and this Course
In this Module, you will learn more about the SDGs and sub-targets, and key concepts including sustainability, development, and systems thinking. You will consider how using SDG 360 can add value to your work or studies, explore strategies to link the Global Goals to local settings, and create an SDG 360 App account.
Getting Started
First, make sure to download and save a copy of your personal Participant Portfolio (PPT or PDF), which you will use throughout the entire course. Then, watch the video below. You can download the Module 1 slides (PPT or PDF) to follow along.
Now that you have a good understanding of the SDGs, their sub-targets, and SDG 360 Thinking, take time to do the Module’s homework.
Module 1 Homework
Create a free account on the SDG 360 Thinking App. Take at least 10 minutes to explore the platform and think about which goals you want to address in this course.
Respond to the Module 1 Reflection prompt in your Participant Portfolio. Did today’s module change your definition of sustainability? If so, how? How did the sub-targets exercise influence your thinking around your aim or challenge?
Identify a document that you will use in Module 2. This specific policy document, strategic plan, implementation plan should relate to the problem that you are working on or studying about and be specific to a location where you are working (city, neighborhood, nation).
Please upload this document to your portfolio and identify key sections or strategic areas using the table of contents. You will use this information to create the matrix and do crosswalk analysis during Module 2.
Module 2: SDG 360 Matrix Analysis
Welcome to Module 2! In this module, you will apply the SDGs to real-world practice by working with a local, regional, or global plan aligned with your work or interests. You will practice using the SDG 360 App’s Crosswalk Analysis, to see how the SDGs connect to existing plans, identify strengths and gaps, and make synergies and trade-offs more visible. You will also create your first SDG visualization.
Getting started
First, log-into the SDG 360 Thinking App. Have your policy or program document open as you will follow along with the Module 2 video to conduct your own analysis. Pause the video to complete each step before moving on. Next, start watching the Module 2 Video. You can download the Module 2 slide deck (PPT or PDF) to follow along
Now that you have a good understanding of the SDG Matrix Analysis, take time to do this module’s homework.
Module 2 Homework
Use the SDG 360 Thinking App to revise and finalize your Crosswalk Visualization. Add it to your Participant Portfolio.
Respond to the Module 2 Reflection prompt in your Participant Portfolio. How might this approach help you NOW to help you improve work you are already doing?
Module 3: SDG 360 Wheel Analysis
Welcome to Module 3! You will work on an aim statement based on a global goal challenge pertinent to your own work or studies. You will revisit the app to create a visual representation using the SDG 360 Wheel Analysis function. You will think about interconnections to identify new insights, co-benefits, synergies, and trade-offs to support equitable, sustainable solutions
Getting started
First, log-into the SDG 360 Thinking App. Follow along with the Module 3 video below to conduct your own analysis. Pause the video to complete each step before moving on. You can download the slide deck (PPT or PDF) to follow along.
Module 3 Homework
Use the SDG 360 Thinking App to revise and finalize your Wheel Visualization. Add it to your Participant Portfolio.
Respond to the Module 3 Reflection prompt in your Participant Portfolio.
How might this approach help you NOW to help you improve work you are already doing?
To prepare for our next session, reflect on: How might considering equity and inclusion change the way you interpret or apply insights from your crosswalk and wheel analyses?
Module 4: Equity and Inclusion Essentials
Welcome to Module 4! In this Module, you will review equity and inclusion essentials and consider ways to critically examine and improve your mindset for equity, inclusion and excellence. You will explore meaningful ways to foster dialogue with effective prompts, questions, and invitations for commentary to draw out local knowledge and include everyone.
Getting started
First, open your Participant Portfolio with your reflections and visualizations created so far in this course. During today’s session, you’ll be reflecting on your work so far and equity and inclusion essentials.
Next, watch the Module 4 video. You can download the slide deck (PPT or PDF) to follow along.
Module 4 Homework
Reflect on your work using the HEADS-UP Model and complete Reflection #4 in your Participant Portfolio.
Take time to select TWO questions from the slide "Improving Our Practice with a Focus on Inclusion and Dignity."
Then, write a short reflection (3-5 sentences) about each addressing how you might improve your initiative? In what ways are you falling short of better practice
Participant Showcase and Case Studies
Congratulations! You have now learned four of the five ways to use SDG 360 Thinking, explaining the SDGs with local examples, cross walking the SDGs with relevant plans, conducting SDG 360 analysis, and centering equity and inclusion. You created visuals that you can refine and adapt for your own work.
Consider now how you might share your work with others and ask for constructive feedback to strengthen your approach.
Think about how you might present your final participant showcase with peers, colleagues, partners, or stakeholders. This could be through presenting your portfolio, turning it into a poster or learning brief, or recording it and sharing it with others.
